Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Straplocks?
- Thread starter boabski2k
- Start date
Ahhhh, Columbus.....
Nice town. I did some explosives work out in West Jefferson back in the late 80's, but stayed in Columbus.
Very good German food there....
I'm on my third set of Dunlops with my Thumb. Two sets failed on me resulting in a nice ding on my neck. FUMING MAD!!! They stepped up to the plate and sent me new ones each time. Unfortunately at the time I didn't know of any other straplocks and stuck with them.
Pete
Pete
You'll be about 25 minutes from me, right up Route 3.
I'm sure it's a little different now than when you were here last. Probably about twice the size too. They still have great German food here, as well as Irish food.
Okay, I had never heard of the "rubber washer" solution before reading this thread. Just got back from Home Depot - 60 cents each, and the BEST idea ever! Brilliant! Just secured straps on all 4 of my basses. I can't believe I never thought of that.
I think I now have the perfect strap/security/comfort system - Four $4 Ernie Ball straps, $.60 rubber washers on each, and one $15 Planet Waves gel shoulder pad that I slap on whichever bass I'm using.
Thanks for the washer tip guys!
I think I now have the perfect strap/security/comfort system - Four $4 Ernie Ball straps, $.60 rubber washers on each, and one $15 Planet Waves gel shoulder pad that I slap on whichever bass I'm using.
Thanks for the washer tip guys!
I use a set of Schallers on my bass (and a set of Dunlops on my Telecaster), and I'm pleased with both of them, although I don't put any serious strain on them. I think I like the Schallers better, though, and I'll probably use a set of those on my Les Paul.
I thought of a solution that isn't terribly "classy," but would be strong and easy to use with any strap. Replace your strap pins with eye bolts (wood screw threaded) and use mini carabiners to connect the strap ends to the eye bolts. Like I said, it's kinda overkill, but if you don't mind the look, it should be very reliable.
I thought of a solution that isn't terribly "classy," but would be strong and easy to use with any strap. Replace your strap pins with eye bolts (wood screw threaded) and use mini carabiners to connect the strap ends to the eye bolts. Like I said, it's kinda overkill, but if you don't mind the look, it should be very reliable.
Yeah John, they're great. I'll never buy straplocks again. I still have the Schallers on a couple basses from years ago, but all my newer instruments wear the rubber washers.
I think every strap lock I've used has its good and bad points.
Schallers: I use these on my Fenders and a few other basses. They do tend to unscrew themselves. I glue my strap pins in and tighten the locks to the strap with a wrench. Also, I've found that, particularly with active basses, they make a little noise that does get picked up through the amp. I've put a thin strip of moleskin in the groove on the strap part to make the two pieces fit together nice and tightly so there is no noise.
Dunlops: I use these on my 'Ray and my Lakland. They probably are superior to the Schallers, but they make the strap stick out a little bit from the body. Looks funny. Also, if they do fail, because of the design, my bass will end up on the floor. The Schallers cup the strap pin, so even if the "lock" fails, they still hold the bass. On the plus for the dunlops, they lock to the strap better, and they don't seem to make the strap pins come loose.
Grolsch washers: Clearly the coolest choice. I use these for my G&L and my P Bass (I don't have Schaller pins on this one). Seems nice and secure, but I don't trust them as far as I trust the Dunlops and the Schallers. Another minus is that the washers are just loose and separate, so they can get lost pretty easily. On the plus side, it sure is fun getting new strap locks when you lose the old ones!
Washers and bolts: My Sarzo has the leather strap bolted on with 2 1/2" bolts and large washers. That strap isn't coming off. The bad part: the strap wont come off when you want it to.
Dimarzio click-lock straps: I've used these in the past. Part of the strap actually attaches to the guitar. I always had to be careful putting the bass in the case because I was afraid the hard plastic ends would scratch the finish. Plus, you can't use a regular strap if you forget your strap at home.
Sure-Lock strap: I use this for my Dingwall. The Dingwall strap pins are put in with oversized screws so they will never work their way loose. I didn't think I could easily get Dunlop or Schaller strap pins on these screws, so I found this strap. It works very well, but has a couple downsides. There is a hard plastic piece at the ends of the strap that could damage the finish. I covered the ends with moleskin to protect the bass. Also, they aren't real durable. If you gig alot, I expect the snaps would wear out in six month to a year. But, I paid 12 bucks for it and it works well, so if I gigged enough to have to replace it every six months, it wouldn't be a big deal.
Schallers: I use these on my Fenders and a few other basses. They do tend to unscrew themselves. I glue my strap pins in and tighten the locks to the strap with a wrench. Also, I've found that, particularly with active basses, they make a little noise that does get picked up through the amp. I've put a thin strip of moleskin in the groove on the strap part to make the two pieces fit together nice and tightly so there is no noise.
Dunlops: I use these on my 'Ray and my Lakland. They probably are superior to the Schallers, but they make the strap stick out a little bit from the body. Looks funny. Also, if they do fail, because of the design, my bass will end up on the floor. The Schallers cup the strap pin, so even if the "lock" fails, they still hold the bass. On the plus for the dunlops, they lock to the strap better, and they don't seem to make the strap pins come loose.
Grolsch washers: Clearly the coolest choice. I use these for my G&L and my P Bass (I don't have Schaller pins on this one). Seems nice and secure, but I don't trust them as far as I trust the Dunlops and the Schallers. Another minus is that the washers are just loose and separate, so they can get lost pretty easily. On the plus side, it sure is fun getting new strap locks when you lose the old ones!
Washers and bolts: My Sarzo has the leather strap bolted on with 2 1/2" bolts and large washers. That strap isn't coming off. The bad part: the strap wont come off when you want it to.
Dimarzio click-lock straps: I've used these in the past. Part of the strap actually attaches to the guitar. I always had to be careful putting the bass in the case because I was afraid the hard plastic ends would scratch the finish. Plus, you can't use a regular strap if you forget your strap at home.
Sure-Lock strap: I use this for my Dingwall. The Dingwall strap pins are put in with oversized screws so they will never work their way loose. I didn't think I could easily get Dunlop or Schaller strap pins on these screws, so I found this strap. It works very well, but has a couple downsides. There is a hard plastic piece at the ends of the strap that could damage the finish. I covered the ends with moleskin to protect the bass. Also, they aren't real durable. If you gig alot, I expect the snaps would wear out in six month to a year. But, I paid 12 bucks for it and it works well, so if I gigged enough to have to replace it every six months, it wouldn't be a big deal.
I use the Dimarzio Clip Locks on most of my basses.
... I have one of these on all my basses, works amazingly
I believe that all designs have their pros and cons: I'm not a big fan of Schallers because of the "unscrewing" issue and also as they leave you with a heavy "hunk o' metal" on the end of your strap that can easily ding your bass when swinging around. I had a beater of a bass with the DiMarzio ClipLock a long time ago, but wasn't a fan of the strap material and that's the ballgame with those.
So far I've used Dunlop StrapLoks on every bass I've owned (when a new one comes in it's StrapLoks, strings, and a setup first thing) and have never had a failure in just about 20 years and 15 basses... with my original set still working fine on my first "good" bass purchased in 1992. I also have individual straps for each bass, as the length can vary depending on the bass' body and how I play that particular one.
So far I've used Dunlop StrapLoks on every bass I've owned (when a new one comes in it's StrapLoks, strings, and a setup first thing) and have never had a failure in just about 20 years and 15 basses... with my original set still working fine on my first "good" bass purchased in 1992. I also have individual straps for each bass, as the length can vary depending on the bass' body and how I play that particular one.
lowtide
Commercial User
Where can I get me some moleskin?
Your local pharmacy - Moleskin is an extremely dense and soft cotton fabric that's used in the medical industry to cover sharp and/or irritating edges that could otherwise cause blisters, sores, and other skin irritation. For example, lining the edge of a cast as so the fiberglass/plaster won't effect where it touches skin.
Excellent review there . . . just one question . . .
Where can I get me some moleskin?
Yeah, Mr. SmartyPants. I guess I use it like duct tape sometimes. Its just a soft cloth material with an adhesive backing. Get it at Rite Aid, Walmart, Walgreens, etc. in the foot care section.
Buy soon, though, 'coz I think PETA is about to launch a campaign to stop the senseless slaughter of baby moles for the sake of foot care...
Dunlop user here, never used Schallers because Dunlops were more readily available back then. The important thing about Dunlops is that you have to lubricate the plunger and the little bearings, if the plunger gets corrosion and grime, it can stay pushed-in, and thus fail. Even says so on the package if I recall correctly.
Didn't know you Americans did have our Grolsch beer (It's Dutch.). It's nice eh, better than your cans
Is the US the only country that has a thriving micro-brew industry or something? Whenever I see these posts from people in other countries turning their nose up at "American" beer (we have bottles too?) I wonder about this.
Oh and I was seriously about to purchase 3 sets of Dunlops but I'm gonna go buy 3 Grolsch first and try those out
Schallers for sure.I have never had a problem with them.I have them on both my basses,and they come in gold,black and chrome.
...and Nickel, for vintage look instruments that are pre-chrome. Just bought a pair for my Squier '60s Classic Vibe Jazz Bass. I was amazed to actually match the finish of the other metal on the bass!
